Therapeutic appliance



May 11, 1943. c. E. ISANDERS 2,318,338

THERAPEUTIC APPLIANCE Filed oct. 2s, 1937 2 sheets-shet 1 C@ KM Za, @cI/na, Maw/@dam May 11,1943. E SANDERS 2,318,888

THERAPEUTIC APPLIANGE l Filed Oct. 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 11, 1943 THERAPEUTIC APPLIANCE Clarence E. Sanders, Kansas City, Kans., assgnor to American Hospital Supply Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois y Application October 23, 1937, Serial No. 170,682

(Cl. 12S-33) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to a therapeutic appliance and more particularly to an appliance wherein a bed frame or support is caused to rock or oscillate while at the same time supplying a predetermined pressure to a cuif or the like applied to the patient, the pressure beingv increased and released in timed relation to the rocking of the bed frame.

An object of the invention is to provide an appliance which automatically produces a tilting movement of a support or bed while simultaneously creating a pressure within a cuff applied to a limb of the patient. Another object isto support a patient upon a tilting bed frame while simultaneously increasing or releasing pressure within a cuff applied to the patient in timed relation to the rocking or oscillating movements of the frame. A further object is to utilize the movement of the bed frame for creating pressure and releasing the same for the treatment of the patient on the frame. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in'

which-` "Figure 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a side View in elevation; Fig. 3, an enlarged diagrammatic view of the pressure apparatus employed in conjunction with the bed frame; and Fig. 4, a broken side view in elevation of the drive wheel.

There are certain cases of thrombo angiitis obliterans withv extensive venous involvement which cannot tolerate the pain in the affected extremity when the leg is elevated. The pain is probably the result of the inamed venous walls touching when the veins are empty. I have found that such cases can be effectively treated by the use of a pressure culf, the pressure being supplied and synchronized with the various cycles and speeds of the bed. y

I have found that it is necessary to retain the air in the cuif for variable lengths of time n different patients, and also to automatically'release the entire pressure suddenly at different degrees of elevation of the extremity. For example, in the treatment of the cases just described, the pressure should be released suddenly at any one of four different degrees of elevation of the extremity from low foot to high foot; one at the extreme low foot, one at the extreme high foot end of the excursion, and at two other places equally divided between low foot and high foot.. The different points for release of the air in the cuff is necessary for control of the pain element in diiferent types of peripheral vascular diseases. Also, they are necessary as it is essential to release the air in the cuil at different degrees of foot elevation as the patient improves. If it should be found necessary to release the air in plying pressure inA timed relation to the operation of the bed.

The frame A may be of any suitable construc-Y tion. As here shown, it includes rigid side members I0 which are supported on casters II to enable the device to be easily moved about. In the upper ends of the sides is journaled a transverse shaft I2. The ends of shaft I2 may be journaled in any suitable bearingsy such as those provided by bearing caps I3 bolted to the top of the frame.

The patient support B is illustrated as a substantially rectangular framework to which a spring structure or bed may be attached. For clearness of illustration, only the framework is here shown, it being understood that any suitablel sort of spring orl mattress structure may be attached thereto. The support comprises two side beams I4 and I5 which are connectedat' be of any suitable form or construction. In the` illustration given, a platform 3i) is'secured upon cross pieces 3l and serves as a support for mechanisrn C. Driving mechanism C includes a housing 32 in which is journaled a cross shaft 33 equipped at each of its ends with disks 34. At the outer sides of disks 34 are swivel sleeve wrist pins 35.. Rods 36, extending longitudinally of the structure and through wrist pins 35, are fulcrumed on pivots 31 secured to housing 32 and are capable of rocking on their pivots with their.

' electric motor 43 is a convenient source of power and may have its shaft connected through suitable gearing to drive the cross shaft 33 at a rather slow rate of speed. A rate of about one revolution every three or four minutes has been found desirable for some cases. Greater and lesser speeds are found desirable in other cases. The bed apparatus and the means for driving and adjusting the same have been described and claimed by me in preceding applications. The present invention combines with the bed moving mechanism, apparatus for creating pressure for use in a cuff applied to a patient on the bed, and the pressure pulsations or periods being timed to certain movements of the bed and the pressure releases being also timed with respect to certain positions or elevations of the bed.

The apparatus D may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, it comprises a pressure cylinder 60 equipped at its upper end with a metal strap 6| pivoted at 62 to the stationary side IG. The pressure cylinderis provided at its lower side with a piston stem 63 leading from the piston within the cylinder. The lower end of the piston stem E3 is pivotally mounted upon bracket 64 carried by therod 36, the connection being adjustable for lengthening or shortening of the stem. With the apparatus described, it will be observed that the raising and lowering of the member 36 about pivot 31 will operate the piston stem 63 and move the piston within the power cylinder 60. From the upper end of the power cylinder 60, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, there extends a power discharge pipe 65 provided with a check valve 66. Leading from connection 6B there extends a line 61 provided centrally with a union 68 from which extends the pressure takeoff line G9. The pressure takeoff line is equipped with a fitting 10 to which may be conveniently connected a rubber hose 1| leading to the cuff 12 or other suitable device by which pressure may be applied to the limb of a patient. At the extreme outer end of pipe 61 is a pressure release valve 13, the valve being equipped with a spring pressed closure member which is operated by a downwardly extending finger 14. The outer end 15 of the valve casing is open to the atmosphere. The spring within the valve normally maintains the valve closed, but when the finger 14 is pressed upwardr ly, the valve is opened.

To operate the pressure release valve, I provide the disk 34 shown in Fig. 2 with a cam nut 15 which in one revolution is adapted to engage the pivoted lever 11, the lever being pivoted to the frame A at 18. able screw stud 19 having a head adapted to engage and elevate the valve stem 14.

When it is desired t have two quick releases during a single rotation of the disk 34, I provide the disk with two cam nuts 16. Also, where the treatment requires a release when a certain position of the bed has been reached, a cam nut can be secured within one of the spaced holes in said disk 34 shown in Fig. 4 to eiect this result. For example, it may be desired to effect a release of pressure when the head of the patient is lifted, thus permitting gravity to aid the heart in forcing blood into the area formerly under pressure. The next release of pressure may be timed with the lowering of the head of the patient for a desired result. The adjustment of the cam nuts on said disk 34 and the adjustment of the stud 19 on lever 11 permits a variation in the timing of the pressure releases while also the adjustment for the The lever 11 carries an adiustpiston stem 63 permits a variation in pressure which is to be applied.

In the operation of the device, the cams 16.

.adjustment pin or stud 19, and the power piston stem 63 having been set for the desired pressures and pressure releases, the motor 43 is started. Immediately, the bed begins to swing upwardly and downwardly. At the same time, movement of the shaft 36 and piston 63 produces a compression of air within the cylinder 6D. The air flows through pipe 65, outlet pipe 61, and pipe 63 to the fitting 13, from whence it passes through tubing 1l to the cuif about the patient. As the power disk 34 rotates, the cam 16 is brought into engagement with the lever 11 so as to elevate it, thus bringing the head of pin or stud 19 against the valve stem 14 and opening the valve. The opening of the valve produces a sudden release of pressure, air rushing through the outlet opening 15 and from the lines communicating with cuff 12. In the operation of the bed, the power is transmitted from motor 43 through reduction gearing to the central shaft 33 and the power disks 34 carried thereby. The power disks rotatably carry the wrist sleeve pins 35 which reciprocate the ends of shafts 36 upon their pivots 31 and thereby elevate and lower, through connections 40, 42 and 4|, the frame bed B. As the rod 36 swings about its pivot 31, it moves the piston stem 63 upwardly and downwardly. The cylinder tilts upon its pivot 62 which is secured to frame ID.

While in the foregoing illustration, I have set forth one specific means for the automatic production of power, it will be understood that' other means may be readily employed without departing from my invention. It will furthermore be understood that the apparatus may be automatically employed for applying suction, as well as pressure, when this is desired for treatment of certain cases. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom.

Iclaim:

1. In combination, a bed frame supported for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be wrapped about a limb of a patient upon said frame, means associated with said frame and operated in timed relation therewith for varying pressure in said treating device, and motor means for actuating said rocking and pressure varying means.

2. In combination, a bed frame mounted for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be wrapped about a limb of a patient upon said frame, means operated in timed relation with the movement of said frame for varying the pressure in said treating device and motor means for actuating said rocking and pressure varying means.

3. In combination, a bed frame supported for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be wrapped about a limb of a patient upon said frame, means operated by said rocking means for varying the pressure within said treating device and motor means for actuating said rocking and pressure varying means.

4. In combination, a bed frame mounted for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be applied to a limb of a patient upon said frame, means for supplying pressure to said pressure-treating device, means operated in timed relation to the movement of said frame for releasing the pressure in said device, and a single motor for actuating said rocking pressure, and pressure release means.

5. In combination, a bed frame mounted for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure-treating device, means operated in timed relation to the movement of said frame for supplying pressure to said treating device, means operated in timed relation to the movement of said frame for releasing the pressure in said treating device and a single motor for actuating said rocking, pressure, and pressure release means.

6. In combination, a bed frame mounted for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be applied to a limb of a patient upon said frame, means operated in timed relation to the movement of said frame for increasing the pressure in said treating device and releasing the same, and a single motor for actuating said rocking, pressure, and pressure release means.

'7. In combination, a bed frame mounted for reciprocal movement, means for reciprocating the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be applied to a limb of a patient upon said frame, means operated in timed relation to the movement of said frame for building up pressure in said treating device and then suddenly releasing the same, and a single motor for actuating said reciprocating, pressure, and pressure release means.

8. In combination, a bed frame mounted for reciprocal movement, means for reciprocating the same, a pressure-treating device adapted to be applied to a patient upon said frame, means for supplying pressure to said device, means operated in timed relation to the movement of said bed frame for releasing said pressure, said lastmentioned means being adjustable to vary the intervals of release, and single means for actuating said reciprocating, pressure, and pressure release means.

9. In apparatus of the character set forth, a bed fr-ame mounted for reciprocal movement, means for reciprocating the same, a pressure cuil adapted to be applied to a patient, an air pump adapted to be actuated by said means for supplying pressure to said treating device, and a pressure release valve adapted also to be operated by said means to release said pressure when the bed frame is in a predetermined position.

10. In apparatus of the character set forth, a bed frame mounted for reciprocal movement, means for reciprocating the same, a pressure cuff adapted to be applied to a patient upon said frame, means for supplying pressure to said cuff, and a pressure release valve for releasing the pressure Within said cuir, said release valve being positioned so as to be actuated by said bed frame when the first mentioned means reaches a predetermined position.

11. In apparatus of the charactenset forth, a bed frame mounted for reciprocal movement, means for reciprocating the same, a pressure cuff adapted to be applied to a patient upon said frame, means for supplying pressure to said cuff, and a pressure release valve for releasing the pressure Within said cuff, said release valve being positioned so as to be actuated by said `nrst mentioned means when the bed frame reaches predetermined positions.

12. In apparatus of the character set forth, a bed frame supported for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure cuir adapted to be applied to a patient upon said frame, an air pump communicating with said cuff and having a movable part of' said pump connected to said rocking means whereby movement of said rocking means actuates a pump to supply air under pressure to said cuil, and a pressure release valve adapted to be engaged by a portion of said rocking means when the bed frame reaches a predetermined position to release the pressure within said cuff.

13. In apparatus of the character set forth, a bed frame supported for rocking movement, means for rocking the same, a pressure cuff adapted to be applied to a patient upon said frame, an air pump communicating with said culi and having a movable part of said pump connected to said rocking means whereby movement of said rocking means actuates a pump to supply ai;` under pressure to said cuff, a pressure release valve adapted to be engaged by a portion of said rocking means when the bed frame reaches a predetermined position to release the pressure within said cuff, and adjustable means for changing the positions of said bed frame at Which said rocking means will operate said release valve.

14. A method of treating a limb of the human body which consists in moving the same relative to the body, While exerting gradually increasing circumferential pressure on said limb during the movement thereof.

15. In combination, actuating-means adapted to raise and to lower the limb of a patient relative to the level of the head of the patient, a

motor driving said actuating means, a pressuretreating device adapted to be wrapped about said limb and to be moved in unison with said limb, additional means actuated by said motor in timed relation with said actuating means to create and to vary pressure in said pressuretreating device while the level of the foot of said limb relative to the level of the head of the patient is being changed.

16. In combination, actuating-means adapted to raise and to lower the limb of a patient relative to the level of the head of the patient, a motor driving said actuating means, a pressuretreating device adapted to be wrapped around said limb and to be moved in unison with said limb, additional means actuated by said motor and operated by said motor in timed relation with said actuating means to create and to increase pressure in said pressure-treating means while the free end of the limb is moved downwardly.

17. In combination, a tiltable support on which the limb of a patient can rest, said support being tiltable up-and-down, a pressure-treating device adapted to be Wrapped about said limb, actuating means adapted to tilt said support up-anddown, pressure-varying means associated with said support and operated in timed relation with said support for varying the pressure which is exerted by said device on the limb, and motor means for operating said actuating means and said pressure-varying means.

CLARENCE E'. SANDERS. 

